Prez to inform Speaker to expedite process of Bribery Act

President Maithripala Sirisena will inform Speaker Karu Jayasuriya this week of the need to expedite the process to pass the proposed amendments to the Bribery and Corruption Act in Parliament, a spokesman for the SLFP said.

The President has said he is determined to bring to book those who have been involved in financial crimes in the recent past including those in the private sector, SLFP Spokesman Mahinda Samarasinghe said.

He added that President Sirisena intends to ensure that the law takes its course to cover all corrupt politicians and officials of the private and state sector before the expiry of his term of office in January 2020.

Addressing the weekly news briefing of the SLFP at the party office, Mr. Samarasinghe said the amendments to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) Act tabled in Parliament in mid-2018 have been unusually and incomprehensibly delayed. President Sirisena is worried about this, he said.

“The SLFP and the joint opposition have done their part to pass those amendments in Parliament. But the amendments have been remained on the order paper for several months for unknown reasons despite the fact that all stakeholders for the prevention of financial crimes and bribery want to pass it as early as possible. That is why President intends to write to Speaker Jayasuriya, asking to expedite the process to pass the amendments,” Mr. Samarasinghe said.

The SLFP believes that party leaders will decide on an early date for the debate after President Sirisena’s missive to Speaker Jayasuriya shortly, he noted.

Proposed amendments to the Bribery Act will also include powers to deal with bribery and corruption in the private sector and file legal action directly in the High Court. Under the current Act, bribery and corruption cases could only be filed in the Magistrate’s Court.

After the amendments are made, the CIABOC will have the powers to consult the Attorney General for advice in any legal matter when needed and the minimum fine on conviction will be increased to Rs.100, 000 from the current Rs.1, 000. (Sandun A Jayasekera)

Comments - 9

mnsmart Thursday, 10 January 2019 07:56 AM

Only recent past? what about the last decade?

fouzi Friday, 11 January 2019 06:32 AM

How can the last decade be included, now that MS is with MR ? MS wants to forget it as he has to contest for the second term in office.

Trevin Thursday, 10 January 2019 08:02 AM

MR has taken over SLFP

ANTON Thursday, 10 January 2019 08:04 AM

THEN THERE WILL BE NO NEED OF HAVING ELECTIONS AS ALL THE MINISTERS ARE BELIEVED TO BE IN THE JAIL.

Sunil Thursday, 10 January 2019 10:02 AM

This is good. We could start the new bribery prosecutions with the "Range Enavada" case.

Ronnie Bugger Thursday, 10 January 2019 10:03 AM

You say unusual and incomprehensible delay in dealing with bribery and corruption in the private sector too. It goes without saying who and what was behind these delays where even the President is answerable because he has turned a blind eye until now.

Cyril Wimalasena Thursday, 10 January 2019 10:17 AM

Mr President Sir. you are in correct path. pl.do soon as you can ,

Rasheed Thursday, 10 January 2019 10:35 AM

This is the only way to win the public confidence.

Justice Thursday, 10 January 2019 12:43 PM

These pronouncements are merely to hood wink the public.The proposed amendments cannot be passed as the rogues who will be affected will be all out to block or delay them until the next elections when the new set of robbers takes power.

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